The Hour Has Come Sermon
Leave a reply
Tag Archives: Easter
Through The Wilderness
As we are now officially in the “Lent Season” heading towards Easter, it’s time to reflect upon what is Lent? And how does it pertain to us? So what is Lent season? It’s 40 days before Easter, it’s a time to reflect and prepare for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Typically Lent is symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the Wilderness. (Matthew 4)
Now while Jesus was in the wilderness, he not only fasted but he was tempted by Satan to fall into Sin. Notice how Jesus responded to each temptation, he said “It Is Written” meaning God had already declared and promised Satan’s defeat. Through Christ we already have victory over sin and death. Also notice the power of the Word of God, as Jesus used it each time to fight off Satan
Think about the Israelites, when Moses led them from the slavery of Egypt, they wandered through the wilderness for 40 years, (Exodus 14) Again we see that symbolic number of 40, which in the Bible means a “period of testing” Just as Moses delivered the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt, Jesus delivered us from the slavery of Sin and Death (Romans 6:20)
Maybe you’re “Going Through The Wilderness” today? We live in difficult times and many people are struggling mentally and physically. Just remember this, after the Wilderness comes the Cross and then the Empty Tomb. Meaning Jesus has already given us victory because of what he has accomplished, as Jesus declared on the cross “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) You have victory because of Jesus Christ!
So as you’re going through this Lent season, maybe you’re in the Wilderness, remember God is with you and the victory is already yours in Jesus Name Amen!
John 20- The Resurrection Part 2
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. John 20:11-13
As we continue to take a look at the Resurrection Story here in the gospel of John, we see Mary Magdalene stayed behind because she was mourning the loss of Jesus. Now this showed alot of faith because The Tomb was a very dangerous place right now, it was under watch by the Roman Empire, if they found her they probably would have thrown her in prison or maybe executed her
But her love for Christ was greater than the love for this world! Now she was crying also because she thought the body of Christ had been stolen, again showing the disciples didn’t fully understand the prophecy that Christ will be Risen, even though Jesus told them this multiple times throughout his ministry
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. John 20: 14-16
Now this event is one of the great mysteries of The Bible, Mary was having a conversation with Jesus yet didn’t recognize him, why? Well first thought is Jesus is in his “Resurrected Body” a body that is perfect and immortal, just imagine some day you will also have a Resurrected Body, so glorious many wont recognize you!
However Mary does recognize Jesus by his words, as Jesus stated in John 10 “My Sheep know my voice” even though Mary didnt physically recognize Jesus , she knew him by his words, shows you how powerful words can be!
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. John 20: 17-18
Jesus’ statement here is used alot by “Anti-Trinitarians” who try to refute his Deity. Jesus declares his Father is his God and our God. Now the argument is “If Jesus is God then why did he call The Father God”? Well I think those who use this argument don’t really understand the doctrine of the Trinity, The Father, Son , and Holy Spirit are all separate yet they share one essence. So for Jesus to call the Father God is correct, just as we would call The Father God or the Son God or the Holy Spirit God.
Mary goes to hug Jesus , however he states “Don’t touch me I have not yet ascended to my Father” As we know Jesus spent 40 days here on Earth after the Resurrection until he ascended back to his Father. He instructed her, to go tell all the disciples! As we know from Paul’s testimony in 1 Corinthians 15, over 500 people would witness the Resurrected Jesus before his ascension Amen!
Jesus Is Risen Part 5
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
These scriptures recorded by the Apostle Paul are considered the first official “Creed” of Christianity. This is very compelling evidence of the resurrection as this was believed to be documented within 5 years of the resurrection. From a historical perspective this is very early evidence and almost unheard of.
As we see, the death and resurrection of Jesus is the central theme of Christianity. This is the core of our beliefs, without the death and resurrection of Christ, we would still be dead in our sins!
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:5-7
Notice this for eyewitness accounts, Jesus not only appeared to Peter (Cephas) and the rest of the Apostles. But Jesus then appeared to over 500 eye witnesses , many who were still alive when Paul wrote this. Remember after Jesus resurrection, he remained for 40 days until he ascended back to Heaven.
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:8-9
How about the Apostle Paul as an eye witness, here is a man who hated Christians to the point he hunted them down and was responsible for the death of Stephen. However when he met Christ on the Road to Damascus, he became transformed and is arguably the greatest preacher in Christian history, writing over half of the New Testament
Jesus Is Risen! Just as he transformed the lives of many including Paul, he can transform your life also because He Lives! Amen!
Jesus Is Risen Part 4
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept Mark 16:9-10
As we see again from the gospel of Mark, Mary Magdalene, who was freed from seven demons was the first to see the Risen Jesus. Also notice how it described the disciples, they were weeping and mourning over the loss of their Lord Jesus
However Mary went to tell them the good news (Gospel) that Jesus Is Risen! Imagine their response when they first heard this! Imagine when they thought Jesus was dead and now realized that He is Risen forever!
And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. Mark 16:11-12
But look what it says, even though Mary seen Jesus with her own eyes, they didn’t believe her! Even though Jesus told them countless times, he was going to be resurrected, they didn’t remember and they didn’t believe
Now for the next 40 days Jesus would make numerous appearances to his disciples and hundreds of other people. Here he appeared to two of his disciples to reveal He Is Risen
And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Mark 16:13
Those two disciples went back to report that Jesus Is Risen also, and guess what they still didn’t believe! Does this sound familiar? Does this sound a lot like people today? There are still many people today who still don’t believe Jesus Is Risen! What is it going to take for you to believe?
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Mark 16:17
Later Jesus came and appeared to the rest of the disciples and notice what he did, he rebuked them! Why? Because of the hardness of their hearts! Even though they had multiple witnesses to his resurrection , they still hardened their hearts and didn’t believe
Are you still hardening your heart today? There were hundreds of eye witnesses of the resurrected Jesus, receive him today because He Is Risen!
Jesus Is Risen Part 3
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. John 20:11-12
As Mary Magdalene looked into the empty tomb ,she was full of sorrow as she thought her Lord Jesus was not only dead but the body was stolen! However what she was soon to realize she was witnessing the greatest event in human history, Jesus Is Risen!
Now if we were to make up this Resurrection story, Mary Magdalene would be the last hero we would have chosen. A woman who was a former prostitute that was full of seven demons, has now become the first human to discover that Jesus Is Risen. This is how God works, he can restore what seems unfixable. He will call those who the world have casted away, this is the heart of the Resurrection Story
And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. John 20:13-14
Then a man appeared to her and started asking her why she was crying. What she didn’t realize that this was the Lord Jesus himself standing right before her. Why didn’t she recognize Christ? Because he was now in his glorified body, Jesus is now Risen forevermore, he has defeated sin and death!
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. John 20:15-16
Mary thought this man was actually the gardener until he called her name! Once Jesus called Mary immediately, she recognized that it was the Lord. Remember Jesus said “My Sheep hear and my voice and they know me”
Once Jesus calls you, you’ll never be the same again. We have living Hope because Jesus Is Risen and he has defeated the grave forevermore! Amen!
Jesus Is Risen Part 2
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. Matthew 28:1-2
It amazes me how there are some Christians who like to argue the resurrection happened on the Sabbath. The scriptures are very clear here, it was on the first day of the week (Sunday) that the stone was rolled away!
Here we see the woman coming to see Jesus’s grave and a great earthquake happened due to an Angel descending down from Heaven. The Stone is Rolled Away! Jesus Is Risen, death is defeated! What an amazing event , we should be celebrating the resurrection every day not just Easter!
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. Matthew 28:3-4
Lets think about this, the Roman soldiers , who made a living torturing and terrorizing people, fell like dead men here! As I said before on Palm Sunday, Jesus didn’t come to just save Israel , Jesus came to save the entire world, including the Roman soldiers. Many Romans fell to their knees and repented to the one true living God
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:5-6
The angel came to announce the good news , Jesus Is Risen! There is no better news you’ll ever hear but these words. No matter what is going on in our lives, Jesus has overcome the world! As the angel said “Fear Not”! We worship a Risen Savior , there is no need to fear!
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. Matthew 28:7-8
Notice what the angel said “Go quickly and tell the disciples Jesus Is Risen” You are also commanded to tell everyone “Jesus Is Risen”! This is the gospel , Jesus defeated Sin and Death so we may inherit eternal life
The woman left the tomb with Great Joy! We can have great joy also no matter what the circumstance are because Jesus Is Risen Amen!
Jesus Is Risen Part 1
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. Luke 24:1-2
Right now it seems the world is at a standstill, sports are cancelled, concerts are cancelled, even some jobs are now cancelled, however one thing that will never be cancelled is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On that Sunday morning, when the women went to the tomb to pay their respects to Jesus body, they made an earth shattering discovery, the stone was rolled away!
When they made this discovery, they then tried to process what this meant. Was Jesus body stolen? No Jesus rose from the dead defeating sin and death forever! This has changed human history forever as know we have the living hope of Christ because of what he did for us!
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? Luke 24:3-5
When the woman discovered the tomb empty, their worst fears set in. Did they steal the body of Jesus? But suddenly it says , two angels stood before them and asked them an interesting question. Why do you seek the living among the dead? Even in todays world , we seem to always be looking for answers with the dead, but we worship a God of the living and the resurrection is proof of that!
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Luke 24:6-7
Some of the greatest words were spoken here “Jesus Is Risen”, Regardless of what is going on in your life, including this Pandemic, Jesus is Risen! He has already defeated sin and death, you don’t have to live in fear any longer
Another thing to notice here is the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ was no accident, Jesus fortold this to his disciples before these events ever happened but they just didn’t understand the revelation at that time.
Take heart knowing Jesus has overcome the world, Jesus has overcome the grave! Because of this we are delivered from sin and death through Christ ! Amen!
He Is Risen
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Luke 24:6-7
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything! The greatest moment in the history of humanity , when Jesus defeated sin and death. When Jesus walked out of that grave, are you following him in victory? Or are you left dead in your sins in the tomb?
Satan believed he defeated God, but what he did was fulfill the atonement for our sins. Jesus came as the Lamb of God, to take away the sins of the world. He’s coming back as the Lion of Judah, the power of Gods salvation was demonstrated at the resurrection
And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:15
Notice when the disciples “communed” together Jesus was with them! This is the power of communion, this is the power of Christian fellowship, as believers come together to remember their Lord he draws near to them also
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27
Jesus explained to his disciples how the entire “Old Testament” was all about him! Beginning at Moses which means the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy to all the prophets. Jesus validates the scriptures as the Word of God, the Resurrection validates all of this
And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. Luke 24:30-31
Notice when did the disciples finally realize Christ was in their presence? It was during communion, when they broke bread with Jesus they recognized him. This story shows you the importance of Communion, it also shows you the Bible is the Word of God, it also shows you Jesus has defeated Sin and Death Amen!
My God, My God #GoodFriday
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:45-46
One of the final phrases Jesus proclaimed from the cross was, My God My God why have you forsaken me? Now at first glance we wonder what could have Jesus meant by this, however if you know the Bible you know Jesus is quoting Psalm 22
I believe Jesus wanted the Jews to look back at this Messianic Prophecy of Psalm 22 so they could understand what Jesus was during for them. Also so they understood that Jesus is the Messiah. Secondly we need to understand that Jesus is taking the wrath of God for all of us as the Passover Lamb.
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Matthew 27:47-49
Many thought that Jesus was calling Elijah, however what they didn’t understand at the time, that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Elijah. In the Old Testament Malachi Chapters 3 and 4 prophesied that Elijah must come before the Messiah
Jesus revealed at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17) that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Elijah. So those standing at the cross, didn’t realize that their Messiah had just been crucified by them!
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Matthew 27:50-51
At this moment a very significant even happened, the veil was torn! What does this mean? Well to understand this you need to understand the Temple of God. The Veil separated people from the Spirit of God, only the High Priest , if they were clean, could go in Gods presence.
However since Christ sacrifice on the cross for us, we can now be filled with the Holy Spirit and our bodies are now the Temple of God. We are now reconciled back to our Heavenly Father, because Jesus paid the penalty for our sins!
Behold The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who took away our sins Amen!
Unashamed of Jesus 